Many people prefer living in homes that are big. Living in a Malibu home that has lower square footage can sometimes make you feel trapped. Smaller rooms may look cluttered, and it can seem impossible to move around in. Often, the situation isn’t as bad as it seems, it’s simply the mind playing tricks on you.

With just a few simple steps, you can make any room in your Malibu house seem larger without having to call a contractor or plan a major construction remodel. With these tricks, any room will look spacious and luxurious.

Use Patterns: There are some patterns that will instantly make your rooms look bigger. For example, using striped patterns on the floor will make it seem larger and more open. When selecting wallpaper try to avoid large patterns that will make the room look smaller. You can even consider using some paint instead of wallpaper. The patterns on your furniture also can make a difference. Finer patterns or no patterns at all are a good choice. Lesser patterns will not allow furniture to dominate in your rooms.

Clean Up the Clutter: Clear up any excess décor items that are lying around. If you don’t use it everyday, store it away. These days, you can find beautiful furniture that doubles as storage space and is perfect for small living conditions. Find a design that works with your existing décor. In this way you can add style too.

Paint the Walls: The colors of your walls can make a huge difference in how big or small your room looks. Dark colors like maroon and dark blue add an air of luxury and class, but make your rooms seem much smaller. Pastel shades like lavender and light blue add space. This is because light colors reflect natural light better, and make the rooms seem larger.

Rearrange the Room: Arranging all your furniture against the walls of the room is not a good idea. This may seem like it will make your home look bigger but it does just the opposite. Instead, arrange the furniture in the center of the room, away from the walls. Creating space to move around will make the room seem bigger.

Bring in More Light: Whether it’s natural light or artificial light, make sure your home gets plenty of light. If you don’t have large enough windows, Malibu contractors can help you build or expand your windows to allow more natural light in. Opt for thin, airy curtains that don’t block out sunlight. Don’t have just one or two lamps in the room, try to have multiple light sources that really bring the place to life. To save space, you can choose interesting wall-fixtures and sconces instead of free-standing lamps.